I met JP briefly years ago, a journalist/columnist/author of books. I greatly admire him and his work and had followed often what he published in the local papers and had read a number of his books. I told him so. On that occasion, I saw him amongst the people in a funeral; my last one. From that day on I had promised myself I would never attend a funeral again, not even my own!
When he responded shaking my hand he said: 'All of us we should, and we do what we can.' and I replied: 'You more'. Later on, I thought I should have said 'What you do is not just more, but important.' I thought of that a few more times over the years to find a way to tell him so. I didn't.
On reading the paper yesterday the sad news that he had passed away early on Monday morning, I cried like a baby. Not that he had been someone close, in fact I only knew him from what he published, and the articles about his person and his photos that periodically appeared in the diverse media. I cried the tears more of my own failure, lack of conscientious effort to express my appreciation and admiration of him as a writer, but more so from what I have learned about him as a person.
When was the last time you told someone you love (appreciate or admire) him/her? Be sure to do so today, when they are still alive.
No comments:
Post a Comment